Danish Political Drama Borgen starring Sidse Babett Knudsen

Borgen

Danish Political Drama Borgen

So why is an Australian, on an American site, writing about a Danish political drama?

Because it's brilliant TV, that's why!

I normally get a bit annoyed by watching shows with subtitles, but this show had me hooked from day one. I couldn't wait for Wednesday nights. I even went back and re-watched the episodes on-line. It's been a long time since I was this involved in a TV series.

Borgen - Season 1-3 Trailer

Why is Borgen so good?

Borgen is extremely well written as well as having superb production values.

You get a real feeling for what it must be like to be right there in Copenhagen, the weather, the culture, and even the sorts of things that matter to people are brought alive in Borgen.

The plot is excellent, unfolds at the proper pace, is not predictable and does not make political conventions heavy-going or difficult to understand. Borgen does not treat the viewer as a simpleton, nor is it too demanding upon the viewer.

The Prime Minister - Birgitte Nyborg, Played by Sidse Babett Knudsen

Source

The Protagonists - Sidse Babett Knudsen as The Prime Minister

Borgen reveals how politics in Denmark works by cleverly dissecting in depth only three main characters. Consequently, we can become a lot more intimate with these three.

Birgitte Nyborg (played by renowned Danish actress Sidse Babett Knudsen) is the first ever female Danish Prime Minister. Kasper Juul (played by Pilou Asbaek) is her spin doctor. The journalist is Katrine Fønsmark, played by the stunning Birgitte Sorensen.

Nyborg begins as a sweet and almost innocent woman, the political leader of a minor Danish party - the Moderates. She seems to have the perfect life, the perfect husband and children and to be at peace with herself.

In the first episode, the election is nigh, and the incumbent is discredited by the leading alternate candidate in a move which backfires and propels Nyborg into the Prime Ministership by default. Clearly Nyborg has a very steep learning curve.

The story follows Nyborg as she maintains her leadership through delicately balancing an often precarious coalition of small parties (each with their own disparate agendas). She ultimately makes enormous personal sacrifices and becomes a changed women. Her saving grace is that somehow she manages to salvage her integrity from being ground to mulch in the Danish political process.

In an ironic twist, one of the keys to her success and a conduit which allows her to maintain her integrity is her spin doctor, Kasper Juul. His amorality is juxtaposed against her idealism cleverly allowing her to achieve what she needs to through Kasper's talented media manipulation.

Kasper, an inveterate liar and persistent lover, is infatuated with Katrine, the journalist. They use their relationship to mutual career advantage. Katrine demonstrates the modern conundrum of journalistic integrity which is a counter-theme to that of political integrity. The media and the politicians in Borgen are like synchronized swimmers in different pools. Borgen clearly demonstrates the parasitic relationship between these two essential institutions, often as bent as each other.

Make no mistake. Borgen has some sweet characters but it is not sweet or cute. Borgen is about war - political war. Danish politicians are revealed in all their dark glory. You will see immoral compromises, dirty games, viciousness, betrayal, back room dodgy deals, lies, ruthless ambition, and the wonton destruction of people's careers and lives.

The Spin Doctor - Kasper Juul, Played by Johan Philip "Pilou" Asbæk

Source

Borgen - Opening Title

Source

Borgen Series 1

Borgen - A cut above other dramas

The single most appealing thing about Borgen is the character development. The main characters develop and learn as people individually and together synergistically in meaningful ways. They and their relationships morph as their circumstances change with the vicissitudes of politics.

So many shows have characters that stay as and who they are in an almost two dimensional manner. Take Downton Abbey for instance, another excellent show. But do Mary, Carson, Robert or Cora really change or grow as people? Carson is invariably, stubbornly Carson. He never changes, except to become more entrenched as Carson. No, we do not see them deepen greatly with each season though we remain fond of them (I mean who doesn't love Carson, big sop that he is). Nor do we gain the sort of insight into their personal psychology that we do with the three main characters in Borgen. This adds a whole extra layer to what otherwise would still be excellent TV.

One of the most fascinating things about Borgen is the unpacking of Kasper Juul. But no spoilers from me!

The Journalist - Katrine Fønsmark, Played by Birgitte Hjort Sørensen

Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen

Borgen Series 2

Borgen - The Scene

Borgen is the Danish word for castle. The castle is what the Danes call Christiansborg Palace, the building which houses the Danish Parliament, the Supreme Court and the Prime Minister's Office.

Situated in the heart of Copenhagen, the castle features in every episode, adding an air of understated authenticity. All of the indoor filming was done with sets, as they were not actually allowed to film inside the palace.

Another fascinating location is Mariensborg Manor, a 1745 manor house. The manor is situated on the shore of Lake Bagsværd, about 15 kilometres north of Copenhagen. It is the summer residence of the Danish Prime Minister and also used for official engagements and functions. Some of the filming is also done at this gorgeous historic location adding interest and charm to the production.

Marienborg Manor

Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen (right) and U.S. President John McCain hold a joint press conference at the prime minister's official residence in Marienborg in Kongens Lyngby, Denmark, July 6, 2005. | Source

Interview of Sidse Babett Knudsen by Female Politician

Borgen Quiz

Rate Borgen

Borgen - Awards and Recognition

As well as having been nominated for many awards in Europe and elsewhere, Borgen won:

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series (Knudsen) 2011 & Best European Drama TV Series 2013 - Monte Carlo TV Festival

International Winner Award - British Film Association Television 2012

Festival International de Programmes Audiovisuals - Best TV Series and Serials & TV Series and Serials: Best Music - 2011

Prix Italia - Best TV Drama - Series and Serials - 2010

In a huge complement to the series, the producers of the hit political TV series "The West Wing" have plans to do a US remark of Borgen. (Borgen is a series which had a minuscule budget when compared to "The West Wing" but exceeds "The West Wing" in almost every way).

A similar thing was done with "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo", that is, a remake in English which was for the most part true to the original. If they do a remake of Borgen I really hope they do not lose the production values and the tightness of the story.

Creator and Cast

Source

Borgen - where to now?

At this stage there are three series with sadly no plans to produce more. The first two series are available on DVD with the third soon to come.

I can't wait to see more of this remarkable show. Let me know what you think of it!

Join HubPages! It's free, It's fun!

If you like to write, why not join HubPages? HubPages is where you can learn how to market your writing! Make money writing: Join HubPages

Links

10 Books About CaesarThe list below contains 10 books (or series) related to Caesar that I have read recently. I have also placed my thoughts on each publication below each item.

Top 10 Australian MoviesThe list of Australian actors working in Hollywood is long - Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Geoffrey Rush, Mel Gibson, Toni Collette, Cate Blanchette - they all started in Aussie films.

The Lithuanian Holocaust - The Extermination of the ...Pre-war Lithuania was home to up to 250,000 Jewish people and was a prodigious hub of Jewish learning. The capital of Lithuania, Vilnius, was referred to as the Jerusalem of the North. By 1942 only approximately 43,000 Lithuanian Jews were left alive

Lithuanian Diaspora - A Brief History of WWII Lithua...Throughout history, Lithuania has been subject to conflict due to its location between the various spheres of influence of dominant nations. In 1940, Lithuania (along with the other Baltic nations, Latvia and Estonia) was annexed by the former USSR.

Scaly Breasted LorikeetScaly breasted lorikeets are a member of the parrot family. A native bird of Australia, they live in urban and rural areas of coastal Eastern Australia from Cape York down to about Wollongong in New South Wales.

My 10 Favorite Julius Caesar QuotesCaesar was both the epitome of a Roman noble and an extremely atypical man of his times. A paradox. He was a brilliant man, a talented and ruthless politician and a military genius. Caesar was a gifted writer, orator and lawyer.

Phthalates - how to be phthalates freePthalates are common, potentially harmful chemical compounds used in plastics, solvents, and personal care products. Phthalates are colorless, oily liquids often used in fragrances and PVC products.

Comments 2 comments

Awesome. I just happened to catch an episode of this on Sky and was hooked, I am planning to do the whole 'box set' thing with a Borgen marathon. Your comprehensive, compelling, well written hub has just sold it further. You do really have a great writing style that 'talks ' to the reader effortlessly.

Mel Jay 3 years ago from Australia Author

Thanks Docmo, coming from you that's gold :) I am just now sitting here (skiving off work for the day) reading your stuff! Cheers, Mel